Why I support the Keystone XL Pipeline

By: Sen. Jon Tester

Eastern Montana’s oil fields are leading the way to better American energy security, more Montana jobs and a stronger economy. But Montana needs the Keystone XL pipeline to expand our market opportunities, our energy security and our economy by getting our oil to refineries and to the market.

Energy development in the Bakken oil fields started decades ago. Today, the region produces 500,000 barrels of oil per day. Since 2005, production has grown 150 percent.

I recently visited Richland County to tour its oil rigs and see the latest developments. I witnessed the promise of responsible energy development and I met the hardworking people ready to power Eastern Montana’s economy for generations.

Responsible energy development will not only increase our energy security and create jobs, but it will also spur small businesses and new opportunities from Culbertson to Miles City.

Building the Keystone XL pipeline will help Eastern Montana to reach its full economic potential. The pipeline would run through Montana and include an on-ramp in Baker for oil from the Bakken. The on-ramp will deliver up to 100,000 barrels of oil per day to market. Today, Bakken oil is getting less than market value because of shipping constraints — Keystone XL will help fix that.

I have voted to approve the Keystone XL pipeline three times. I am disappointed that Congress and the president cannot work together to support this common sense project. Built with respect for private property rights and to the highest safety standards, the pipeline will safeguard our most treasured places and increase our energy independence.

Energy security means economic and national security, and a responsibly-built Keystone XL pipeline will make us less dependent on unfriendly countries. We import less foreign oil than we have in decades, but we still have work to do to become energy independent. That’s why I am pushing to keep Bakken oil right here in the United States. After all, it makes sense to power American vehicles and industries with domestic oil instead of sending nearly $1 billion per day to countries that don’t like us.

I will keep fighting for the Keystone XL pipeline. In the meantime, I’m pushing TransCanada to begin training workers right here in Montana. Montanans are ready to work and have all the skills and work experience needed to begin construction once we get the green light.

As your U.S. senator, I will keep pushing for the Keystone XL pipeline — as well as the responsible development of all available energy sources in Montana. Our energy security and the long-term health of our economy depend upon it.

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Senator Tester's Montana staff serves the state from offices in Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Glendive, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula. Please bring your concerns with federal agencies, academy nominations, and other situations to one of these Montana offices.